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#lighthouse

The Reykjanes Lighthouse is Iceland's oldest lighthouse. It was built during 1907 and 1908 instead of the old lighthouse that had been built in 1878 but was destroyed by an earthquake eight years later. At the time, it was the most advanced and expensive structure to be built in Iceland.

The current Reykjanes Lighthouse was designed by the Danish architect Frederik Kjorbo and the Danish engineer Thorvald Krabbe. It is a 26.7-meter high concrete construction with traditional looks. The lighthouse was illuminated in 1929. Its focal plane measures 73 meters above sea level. The light characteristic is "Fl(2) 30 s", i.e. a group of two flashing lights every 30 seconds.

An antenna for the transmission of DGPS-signals in the long-wave range is mounted on the rooftop.

Until 1999, there was a lighthouse keeper on location. He lived with his family in the house next to the lighthouse, along with his assistant and his family. It was not an easy life as the raging storms were often too strong for anyone venturing outdoors. The lighthouse keeper and his assistant could be stuck in the lighthouse for days on end. Which, of course, was quite inconvenient because, "there was no way their women could attend to them."

Below is the location of Reykjanes Lighthouse on the map of Iceland

Garðskagi, the tip of the toe on the Reykjanes peninsula, with its shores and lighthouses might not seem too much to write home about at first sight. And, in fact, this wonderful place has been kept secret by the locals for years and years. Whenever they need a change of scenery, a perfect place to relax, to have a picnic, a stroll along the beach, or to find much needed solitude, to cry – or even scream their head of, their destination is the Garðskagi lighthouses.

The old Garðskagi lighthouse

It may be strange to find two lighthouses standing side by side to guide the seafarers, one tall, one short. For decades, the shorter one, constructed in 1897 was regarded as one of the best lighthouses in Iceland because it stood low. Its beams were not disturbed by the mist quite common offshore in this area. But, gradually the majestic ocean forces corroded the cliff serving as its base and in the end it was deemed unsafe to enter.

The more recent Garðskagi lighthouse

The tall one was constructed in 1944 and some two decades later the old lighthouse‘s foundations were strengthened to give it a new role. It became a bird observatory – and no wonder, as the local birdlife is spectacular. The new lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower rising 28 meters high with a four-way facing rotation lens. The view from the top is breath-taking. Here is where you find the midnight sun in its purest form and during winter you can practically touch the northern lights.

Below is the location of Garðskagi lighthouse on the map of Iceland

There are two lighthouses in the small village Garður placed on the south-west tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The older lighthouse was built in 1897. The newer one was constructed in 1944. For many decades, the lighthouses have ben a popular spot to visit and to photograph; both among Icelanders and in recent years a popular tourist attraction. It has become one of many spots in the country that is constantly being viewed and photographed. The area around the lighthouses is also a popular spot for birdwatchers.